Madhya Pradesh has opened the bidding process for a Chambal ravine safari that will combine off-road experiences, river activities, wildlife, heritage and local culture across Gwalior, Morena, Bhind and Sheopur. The project is being positioned as a major adventure and eco-tourism circuit designed to turn the region’s eroded ravine landscape into a nationally and internationally recognised destination.
The Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board has issued an expression of interest inviting operators, investors, developers, hospitality companies, start-ups and consortiums to develop, operate and promote the destination. Board officials said the signature Chambal Ravine Safari would draw on the immersive format of Dubai’s desert safaris, replacing desert dunes with ravines and four-wheel-drive vehicles, and adding local food, folk performances, stargazing and overnight stays in tents or glamping units.
The proposed circuit could include guided safaris, off-road driving, ravine biking, trekking, ziplining, rope courses, kayaking, canoeing, birdwatching, nature trails, adventure camping and glamping. River excursions, sunrise and sunset experiences, village visits, traditional cuisine, artisan demonstrations and rural lifestyle activities are also among the experiences being considered.
A pre-bid meeting was held online on Monday. Online submissions will open on September 30, 2026, and applications must be submitted through the Madhya Pradesh e-procurement portal by 3 pm on October 13. The expressions of interest are scheduled to be opened in Bhopal on October 14.
The exact sites and activities have not yet been finalised. They will be determined after feasibility studies, environmental assessments, carrying-capacity evaluations and statutory approvals. The selected agency will be expected to identify suitable locations, prepare a master plan, assess market and technical feasibility, develop investment and revenue models and set out a phased implementation strategy.
The proposed private or institutional partner may also be responsible for infrastructure development, visitor centres, digital ticketing, accommodation, safety systems, destination management and marketing. The tourism board has envisaged an integrated digital platform for ticketing, activity and accommodation bookings, payments, maps, safety information, visitor feedback and digital promotion.
Safety and environmental controls are central to the project brief. Operators will need activity-specific standard operating procedures, trained instructors, emergency-response systems, equipment inspections, insurance coverage and weather-related operating protocols. Officials have also said construction in sensitive areas should be minimised, visitor numbers controlled, waste managed, water conserved and plastic use reduced to protect flora and fauna.
The tourism board’s proposal links destination development to local employment. Training programmes have been proposed for adventure guides, safari drivers, nature interpreters, first responders and customer-service personnel. The initiative is expected to create opportunities for local guides, drivers, hospitality workers, performers, artisans, farmers, transport providers and entrepreneurs.
The bidding process will now determine how the project’s commercial ambitions are balanced with the ecological and operational limits of the Chambal landscape. The next formal milestones are the October 13 submission deadline and the opening of applications on October 14.
